Lawrence “Larry” Joseph Norton, age 87 of Springfield died peacefully on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at the Valley View Manor in Lamberton.
Funeral service will be 12 pm on Saturday, June 12, 2021, at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home-South Chapel in New Ulm.  Pastor Brad Kuebler will officiate, and burial will take place at a later date. The New Ulm Area Comrades of Valor Honor Guard will provide full military honors at the funeral home at the conclusion of the service.

The 36th Annual Morristown Dam Days started Wednesday, June 2 with the crowning of Miss Morristown.
Grand Marshals of this year’s Dam Days Parade are Morristown Morries baseball teams.
Friday, June 4 The rest of the festivities begin on Friday with Family Fun Shows of Mankato at 5 p.m. and the numerous food stands and beer garden also at 5 p.m.
There will be a Euchre Tournament at 1:30 p.m. in the Morristown Community Center. Don’t forget the Twilight Parade at 7 p.m.
At 8:30 p.m. music by Old Country Boys will be under the Big Top Tent.

This issue of The New Prague Times is the last one Dennis Lambrecht will have a hand in producing.
After more than half a century in the newspaper and printing business, Lambrecht, of Montgomery, is retiring. His last day with Suel Printing Co. is June 4.

The Elko New Market City Council’s consensus at its Thursday, May 27, meeting was to move forward with a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for a proposed 88-unit multi-family housing project for Dakota Acres, which is located on the northwest side of the city.

The Czech Heritage Club held its annual meeting on Sunday, May 23, 2021, at Giesenbrau Bier Co. in New Prague. Twelve members were present, including Marit Lee Kucera, Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic for Minnesota. Following a brief recap of 2019 and 2020 programs and events, election of officers for the ensuing year took place. Elected by unanimous ballot were President Jean Keogh, Vice-President Gary Pikal, Treasurer George Mikiska, Secretary James Simon, and Directors Doris Coghill, Fred Simon, and Vi Chromy. All terms of office are one year.

Here we are, a week where the temperatures are forecasted to give us a taste of what summer is about. This week the forecast calls for temps in the high 70s at the least, if not in the 80s and 90s. It’s the type of weather that many people want or look forward to during the colder days of winter.
I’ll admit I do enjoy the sun and warmer temperatures, mainly because it means I don’t have to worry about throwing on extra layers of clothing or at least a jacket just to go outside to check the mail when it’s sub zero temps outside.

A life so beautiful, deserves a special celebration. Bring your most joyful memories with you as we celebrate Deb Swanson. Her uncanny ability to find the best in everyone and every situation knew no bounds. She would not want us to dwell in our sadness, but to come together and share all our happy and funny memories. Please join us from 4:00 – 6:00 on June 19th at our home in New Prague. Please text 612-791-2998 by June 13 to let us know you will be coming.

The New Prague boys track and field team collected points in almost every event in winning the Wright County Conference East Division Championship Tuesday, May 25.
The Trojans scored 139 points in defeating runner-up Hutchinson (108) and third place Waconia (100.5). Fourth through eighth were Jordan (86), Delano (83.5), Orono (79), Mound Westonka (58), and Holy Family Catholic (44).

The New Prague boys lacrosse team defeated Rochester Century, 10-9 in double overtime, in the opening round of the Section 1 Lacrosse Tournament.
With the win, the Trojans will travel to Lakeville North Wednesday, June 2 for a 5 p.m. game. North is the No. 1 seed and New Prague is the 8th seed in this quarterfinal game.
Rochester Century was coming in the game 0-13, however they lost three one point games and a few other close ones so the record could certainly be deceiving, according to Coach Paul Newton.

Charli Kossow, age 9, of Waterville won the Le Sueur County Sheriff’s 2021 Distracted Driving Poster Contest. She is the daughter of Amber Atherton and Richard Kossow. Her winning poster reads “Don’t drive distracted. Save lives!” and features a person focusing on their cellphone while driving and an innocent little animal dangerously close to the front of the vehicle. The Faribault Lutheran School third grader received a pizza party for her family, including pizza, cheesy breadsticks, and orange pop, and a $75 Visa gift card for her work—all delivered by Sheriff Brett Mason.

In a battle between two of the top teams in the DRS Amateur Baseball League, the New Prague Orioles edged St. Patrick, 4-3, in 11 innings Sunday, May 30.
This was one of 11 DRS games played Sunday and Monday.
Eric Wagner and Dan Shekta had two hits and each drove in a run during the 2nd inning to help the Orioles take a three run lead.
Nathan Sprouls started for New Prague and was dominant striking out nine batters, and giving up one earned run. Adam Schmitz pitched the final two innings for the win.

The New Prague Fire Department answered a call for an electrical fire around 5:46 p.m. on Wednesday, June 2, at the HyVee Fast & Fresh Express and McDonald’s along 10th Avenue SE. According to early reports the firefighters found smoke coming from the building upon their arrival. Both the HyVee Fast & Fresh Express and McDonald’s were evacuated. Members of New Prague Utilities were called in to cut power to the building. Firefighters waited until smoke cleared so they could check on damage and find a cause for the fire. There will be an update when more information is available.

Georgine A. “Jean” Malecha, age 84, of New Prague, died peacefully at home with her family at her side on Thursday, May 27, 2021.  Jean was born on October 31, 1936 in New Prague to Peter and Lucy (Blesener) Schanus.  She attended New Prague High School and married Francis L. “Fritz” Malecha on August 16, 1958 at St.

Michael J. Schumacher, age 24, of New Prague, died Sunday, May 30, 2021, after a courageous 2 ½ year battle with cancer at the University of Minnesota Medical Center.  Michael was born on June 12, 1996 in New Prague to Timothy and Kim (Born) Schumacher.  He graduated from New Prague High School and went on to attain his Bachelor’s Degree from Bemidji State University.  He worked as a production supervisor at Super Radiator Coils in Chaska.  Michael married the love of his life, Melinda M.

Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Sticha, age 94, died Sunday May 30, 2021 at NC Little Hospice in Edina.
                Betty was a bouncing baby girl, born to Ladimir and Anna (Donnelly) Benes on February 17, 1927, St. Patrick, Cedar Lake Township.

New Prague American Legion Post 45 Chaplain George Tupy, center left, and VFW Commander Nick Slavik read the 400 names of veterans buried at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery during Memorial Day services on Monday, May 31, with the New Prague Veterans Honor Guard at attention. Memorial Day services were observed around area cemeteries and ended with a program at the Park Ballroom. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)